Native Consortium Slams Transport Ministry Over Failure to Apply Fuel Price Reductions on Bonthe Sea Transport Fares

The Native Consortium & Research Center has issued a strong warning to the Ministry of Transport and the Sierra Leone Ports Authority (SLPTA) regarding the continued high costs of sea inter-town boat transportation fares within Bonthe District, the home district of Sierra Leone’s President and Speaker of Parliament.

In a formal memo addressed to the President, the Speaker, and all natives of Bonthe and surrounding coastal towns, the Consortium revealed that despite the recent drop in fuel prices, the expected 20% reduction in boat fares has not been passed on to passengers.

The memo highlights that the Ministry and SLPTA have failed to apply the full 20% pass-through effect of the fuel price decrease on sea transportation fares within the district. The Consortium warns that if this issue is not addressed in Bonthe, it will not allow the same neglect to occur in other coastal districts and riverine communities, including Kambia, Port Loko, Moyamba, and Pujehun.

The memo details the expected fare reductions based on the recent decrease of fuel prices from Le 30 per liter to around Le 24-25 per liter:

Bonthe to Mattru: Old fare Le 100, new fare expected Le 80

Bonthe to Yagoi: Old fare Le 50, new fare expected Le 40

Bonthe to Bendu Cha: Old fare Le 30, new fare expected Le 24

Bonthe to Tengisa: Old fare Le 30, new fare expected Le 24

Bonthe to York Island: Old fare Le 25, new fare expected Le 20

Bonthe to Momaya: Old fare Le 50/Le 40, new fare expected Le 40/Le 32 (depending on boat)

Bonthe to Gbodapie: Old fare Le 250, new fare expected Le 200

Bonthe to Gbap/Gbagbatoke/Titibo/Mattru: Old fare Le 100, new fare expected Le 80

The Native Consortium CEO, Edmond Abu, declared that if the Ministry fails to regulate and enforce the proper reduction of sea transportation fares, passengers are advised to calculate the 20% reduction themselves and pay accordingly.

This move underscores growing frustration with rising transport costs despite falling fuel prices, and the Consortium has vowed to hold the Ministry accountable to ensure fair and affordable transportation fares for all coastal communities.